Air quality statement issued in Waterloo region amid wildfires in Ontario, Quebec
Environment Canada says several groups of people across southwestern Ontario are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
On Monday around 10:30 a.m., the national weather agency issued a special air quality statement, saying smoke plumes from local forest fires as well as forest fires in Quebec have resulted in deteriorated air quality.
“Poor air quality with moderate to high-risk Air Quality Health Index values may persist through the day today and possibly into Tuesday for some areas,” the alert reads.
These areas include the Region of Waterloo and Guelph areas.
High levels of air pollution are expected due to smoke from the forest fires, Environment Canada said.
The weather agency said people with lung disease or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
Environment Canada is advising you to stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell.
According to Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index, current conditions are at a level 4, which represents a moderate risk.
This could raise to a level 5, with a level 7 high risk in smoke, by the end of the day.
Environment Canada says for those who must spend time outdoors, a well-fitting respirator-type mask that does not allow air to pass through small openings can help reduce exposure to fine particles in smoke.
The number of forest fires in northern Ontario is continuing to grow with a total of 48 active fires in the region.
As of Sunday morning, there are 31 active forest fires in the northeast and 17 in the northwest.
Meanwhile, in Quebec thousands of people have been evacuated as the wildfire tally climbs to 150.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.